ARE YOU AT RISK

The signs and symptoms of iron deficiency depends on the severity of condition. Mild to moderate iron deficiency shows no signs or symptoms and is hard to recognize easily. When signs and symptoms occur, iron deficiency can be rated from moderate to severe.

In studies, it was found that only one-third to one-half of children who have iron deficiency (depending on severity) will show pallor. Therefore, iron-deficiency must be diagnosed by laboratory testing for final confirmation.

Patients suffering from iron deficiency often show unusual food cravings, known as Pica. It is actually characterized by an appetite for substances mainly non-nutritive such as chalk, clay, dirt, sand and so on. However, it is not considered helpful for diagnosis and may or may not disappear after the treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia.

Apart from the aforementioned symptoms, there is a long list of symptoms associated with iron-deficiency such as:

Anxiety:

The feeling of fear, uneasiness, worry and dread is quite common in iron-deficiency.

Irritability or low feeling:

It is another psychological reaction which is closely associated with iron-deficiency. It usually ends in anger and frustration.

Angina:

Is a medical disorder characterized by chest pain due to ischemia of heart muscle and the severity of pain depends on the degree of deprivation of oxygen in the heart muscles.

Constipation:

It is also associated with iron-deficiency.

Hair loss:

Hair-loss or alopecia is commonly seen in iron-deficiency.

Besides the above mentioned symptoms, there are varied symptoms which differ in different life stages: adolescence, young adulthood & pregnancy.

Iron deficiency in Adolescent girls

Adolescent girls have chaotic eating patterns with ignorance of dietary recommendations. They do not eat enough of all food groups depriving their body of iron. Some major reasons behind having iron deficiency is skipping meals, restricted eating and strict vegetarian eating.

Symptoms of Iron deficiency

Tiredness & Weakness

Rapid heartbeat

Pale skin

Irritability

Dizziness

Decreased appetite

Iron deficiency in Young Adults

Iron deficiency is a critical health concern that primarily affects women and young adults. About two billion people across the world are reported to have iron deficiency and this count is disproportionally high in developing countries due to poor health services, inadequate diet, certain diseases, most frequent pregnancies and so on. Young adults are particularly susceptible because of their rapid growth and high iron requirements.

Young girls and boys, with iron-deficiency develop symptoms like pale skin, difficulty in concentrating, leg cramps, insomnia, easy fatigue, loss of energy, rapid heartbeat etc. Iron-deficiency may also give rise to symptoms like upward curvature of nails, hunger for non-food items like ice and soreness of mouth.

Iron deficiency in pregnant women

Iron deficiency is very common during pregnancy; particularly because this is the time when body needs extra iron so the baby receives sufficient blood and oxygen supply

The main symptoms in pregnant women due to iron-deficiency are as follows:

Rapid hair loss

Weight loss

Spoon shaped nails

Change of hair colour

Excessive dryness of hair

Iron deficiency in Adolescent girls

Adolescent girls have chaotic eating patterns with ignorance of dietary recommendations. They do not eat enough of all food groups depriving their body of iron. Some major reasons behind having iron deficiency is skipping meals, restricted eating and strict vegetarian eating.

Symptoms of Iron deficiency

Tiredness & Weakness

Rapid heartbeat

Pale skin

Irritability

Dizziness

Decreased appetite

Iron deficiency in Young Adults

Iron deficiency is a critical health concern that primarily affects women and young adults. About two billion people across the world are reported to have iron deficiency and this count is disproportionally high in developing countries due to poor health services, inadequate diet, certain diseases, most frequent pregnancies and so on. Young adults are particularly susceptible because of their rapid growth and high iron requirements.

Young girls and boys, with iron-deficiency develop symptoms like pale skin, difficulty in concentrating, leg cramps, insomnia, easy fatigue, loss of energy, rapid heartbeat etc. Iron-deficiency may also give rise to symptoms like upward curvature of nails, hunger for non-food items like ice and soreness of mouth.

Iron deficiency in pregnant women

Iron deficiency is very common during pregnancy; particularly because this is the time when body needs extra iron so the baby receives sufficient blood and oxygen supply

The main symptoms in pregnant women due to iron-deficiency are as follows:

DISCLAIMER:

The data contained in this website is intended for general reference only and is meant for viewers in India only.
It may refer to pharmaceutical products, diagnostic techniques, therapeutics or indications not yet registered or approved in a given country and it should be noted that, over time, currency and completeness of the data may change. For updated information, please contact the Company.

This data should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the professional advice of a Registered Medical Practitioner, and does not replace medical advice or a thorough medical examination.
Registered Medical Practitioners should use their independent professional judgement in checking the symptoms, diagnosing & suggesting the appropriate line of treatment for patients.

Merck is not in any way influencing, propagating or inducing anyone to buy or use Merck products.
Merck accepts no liability for any loss, damage or compensation claims in connection with any act or omission by anyone based on information contained in or derived through use of this website.
Duplication of or copying any data requires prior permission of the copyright holder.